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Survivor of Sexual Abuse

2.Somy Ali Khan

Somy AliKhan born in Karachi, Pakistan is a Bollywood actress, writer, filmmaker, model, and activist. She also runs a non-profit organization –No More Tears. At the age of 16, she and her mother moved to Mumbai, India. She acted in 10 Hindi movies between 1991 and 1997. While in Mumbai, she had a relationship with Salman Khan for 6 years. She returned to Florida to continue her studies in the year 1999. She attended Nova Southeastern University in Florida, majoring in Psychology, and completed her undergraduate degree in 2 years. Later she became interested in journalism and decided to attend the University of Miami for the master’s degree in broadcast journalism. To pursue that in February 2003, she left the university to attend the New York Film Academy. She graduated with a degree in filmmaking, direction, screenwriting, and editing. Short films on abortion, domestic violence, and teenage suicide were her early projects.

Somy Ali Khan survivor of rape

Ali was involved with women’s rights issues in South Asia. Ali has also written about rape survivors and rape victims story.

Her aim is to help all of the women and make sure that every girl/woman in her country and universally is able to obtain an education and has her basic human rights.
Her organization No More Tears (NMT), turned eight on March 27 and in an exclusive interview from the US, Somy opened up about the real reason behind starting the NGO.

“I grew up amidst an atmosphere of domestic violence in Pakistan and many of my mom’s friends were rape victims as well. When I would ask my mom about the scars on their bodies, I was always told that someone fell down the stairs which was the standard, universal euphemism for physical abuse”.

The above statement was said by her before moving on to an even more shocking detail of her life. Somy reveals that she was molested in her childhood.

“I was sexually assaulted by a servant when I was just 5 years old. When I am invited for a talk at high schools and universities in the US, I share this with the fellow members”.

She believes that sharing her personal experiences would boost confidence in others to speak out and not be ashamed about being a victim.

Her parents have been very supportive of her work but were aware and worried about the risks involved in working in such a sensitive field. Her goal is to eradicate the stigma attached to being a rape victim by sharing her personal story and stories of those NMT has rescued, in a hope that many others will speak out against their oppressors.

She is certain there are many men, women, and children in both Pakistan and India who have been rape victims but are afraid to speak up. The issue that is needed to tackle is the re-victimization of victims.

The only thing she knows for certain is that sexualand physical abuse affects everyone,” she says.

In 2011, Ali was honored with the American Heritage Award from the American Immigration Council for her work with No More Tears, The Daily Point of Light Award in 2015 by President George Bush and The National Domestic Violence Month “A Proclamation” by President Barack Obama.

Recently she added that she is proud of all the #MeToo victims who have raised their voice against their oppressors through Instagram.